Occupational Therapy

Occupational therapy services are provided to MECDHH/GBSD students based on determination of eligibility by their IEP team.

Occupational therapists work on the “occupations” of a child. Occupations are daily life tasks performed by a child at his or her age. These can be activities such as playing with peers and toys, pre-academic activities (i.e. cutting, drawing, building blocks), participating in the school environment, as well as self-care and self-feeding.

Occupational therapists look at these “occupations” and identify if a child needs support to help perform these daily activities independently. Children may have difficulties with a specific skill area such as focusing and attention, processing information taken in by their senses from the environment, grasping and releasing items, postural strength and control to stay in a seated position, and utilizing their eyes and hands together to play, or coordinating their hands. These underlying skills can directly impact on daily function in the home and school setting.